Welcome to therapy first
Psychotherapy as first-line treatment for gender dysphoria
We’re here to help.
The purest form of listening is to listen without memory or desire.
Wilfred Bion
Therapy First is a non-profit professional association of over 300 mental health providers worldwide who view psychotherapy as the appropriate first-line treatment for gender dysphoria.
We aim to support psychotherapists working with gender dysphoric children, adolescents, and young adults in providing high quality, evidence-based mental healthcare, and to offer public education on mental health and psychotherapy
Start here
Therapy First exists because we see a great need arising from the current oversimplification and politicalization of gender dysphoria in the field of mental health.
Therapists
Join a professional association of mental health providers who view psychosocial support and a whole person approach as the appropriate front-line treatment for gender-related concerns.
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Clients & Families
If you or someone you care about is suffering from gender-related distress, we offer compassionate and evidence-based resources and can help connect you to a mental health provider.
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Transition-Related Grief
We offer resources and information for those who experience grief related to medical transition, including therapists experienced in working with people who choose to detransition.
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Join Therapy First
Therapy First’s professional association is open to licensed mental health providers. Once you become a member, you’ll join a community of over 300 professionals worldwide who actively support one another in exchanging ideas and sharing resources.
You’ll also gain access to weekly peer supervision groups, get discounts to Therapy First webinars and trainings, and have the opportunity to list your practice on a public directory of psychotherapists.
Featured webinar
Therapy First provides a range of trainings for mental health clinicians working with young people who are questioning their identity.
Ethical Considerations in the Care of Individuals Experiencing Gender Dysphoria
Monday March 24th at 12pm EST
Jamison Green, Ph.D.
Erica Anderson
Zander Keig
This panel will delve into the ethical complexities of delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals experiencing gender dysphoria. Leading experts in healthcare, ethics, and mental health will examine key challenges such as informed consent, clinician roles in decision-making, and ethical dilemmas in treating children, adolescents, and young adults. These considerations will be explored within the context of a rapidly evolving legal, medical, and social landscape, offering a comprehensive look at how these factors converge in the care of those with gender dysphoria.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the core ethical considerations involved in the care of children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing gender dysphoria.
- Examine ethical dilemmas that arise in clinical decision-making when treating individuals with gender dysphoria.
- Evaluate issues and debates in the field and strategies for ensuring respectful and patient-centered care.
Jamison Green, Ph.D. is an author, educator, public speaker, and independent legal scholar. From 2014 to 2016, he served as president of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
Erica Anderson is a clinical psychologist with a practice focused on children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria and gender identity related issues. She is a former president of the US Professional Association for Transgender Health and was a member of the board of directors for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
Zander Keig is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), public speaker, and advocate known for his work with transgender veterans, social care, and mental health. Keig has been honored with several awards, including the 2020 National Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.
Therapy First has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7505. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy First is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This webinar provide 1.5 hours of CE credits.
Download Therapy First’s free Clinical Guide for Therapists Working with Gender Questioning Youth. Developed by a team of clinicians with expertise working with gender dysphoric youth and their families, our clinical guide offers mental health providers an introduction to working with this growing population based on the latest research and a solid understanding of psychotherapeutic best practice.
Find a Therapist
We help prospective clients connect with therapists who agree with the tenets of Therapy First’s membership statement.
You can find out more about individual practices by clicking in and viewing their profile.
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